Prime Minister Edi Rama was asked by journalists about the case of the investigation of former Health Minister Ilir Beqaj, as well as the dismissal of the latter from the office that was part of the negotiating group with the EU. He said that Beqaj's office did not receive funds from the EU. 

"Ilir Beqaj left the office the second he was accused. To be clear. Ilir Beqaj resigned the second he was charged. The replacement process was also opened. He is not a chief negotiator. He was an aid coordinator in an institution that does not manage EU funds. It is a coordination office in the function of the Albanian government and a bridge of communication with donors for the benefit of the allocation of funds which do not go directly, but to other entities. The noise made about "extortion" of EU funds is a lie. As the office does not manage EU funds. They do not receive funds from the EU or any other institution. These are processes of justice. I have no comments," he said.